The Altrusa Institute was founded on April 11, 1917 in Nashville, Tennessee by Dr. Alfred Durham. The organization was created to offer professional women opportunities in public service and personal achievement. Dr. Durham's associate, Mamie L. Bass, is credited with turning the club into a classified service organization in 1918, renaming it the National Association of Altrusa Clubs. Following Mamie L. Bass' leadership, clubs sprang up both nationally and internationally. Altrusa clubs attract professional women (and recently, men) who have an interest in volunteerism and making positive changes in their communities. The Savannah Altrusa Club was founded on April 22, 1938 by Nancy Hatch, an International Association of Altrusa Clubs field organizer from Chicago, Illinois. At that time, the Savannah club was the thirteenth club in Altrusa's Second District, which included: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Over time, the districts changed due to increased membership and the Savannah club became of a part of District Three, which includes Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. The Altrusa Club of Savannah was active from 1938 until 1999.
From the description of Altrusa Club of Savannah (Ga.) records, 1938-2002. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 57143142
